Mattathias

Mattathias (208 BC-165 BC) was a Jewish priest who, along with his sons, initiated the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid Greek rule in Judea in 167 BC.

Biography
Mattathias was the father of Judas Maccabeus, Eleazar Avaran, Simon Thassi, John Gaddi, and Jonathan Apphus, and they lived in the village of Modi'in in Judea; he was a descendant of Phinehas. Like all fit priests, he served at the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After the Seleucids began to persecute Judaism in 175 BC, Mattathias returned to Modi'in, and, in 167 BC, a Seleucid envoy asked him to sacrifice to the Greek gods. Not only did he refuse to do so, but he killed the Jew who did, and he then killed the government official. He then declared, "Let everyone who has zeal for the Law and who stands by the covenant follow me!," and he and his sons took refuge in the wilderness and called upon all Jews to follow him. Many heeded the call, and, on his deathbed, Mattathias left command of the movement to his son Judas, who led the Maccabean Revolt.